Paper column for voting-machines.



c. F. CURREY.

PAPER COLUMN FOR VOTING MACH'NES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23. I913.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l- WIT/VESEES. INVEJVTPR C. F. CURREY.

PAPER COLUMN FOR VOTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 23. ms.

1 1 79,350. Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

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Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES FREMONT CURREY, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE KANSAS VOTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF TOPEKA, KANSAS, A CORPORATION OF KANSAS.

PAPER COLUMN FOR VOTING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A 11, 1916.

Application filed July 23, 1913. Serial No. 780,666.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Cimnnns Fnnnox'r CURREY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper Co]- umns for Voting-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that part of the voting machine which makes provision for the voter inscribing the name of any desired person as a candidate for any desired olfice, thus corresponding to the blank column of the ordinary so-called Australian ballot. The voting elements in this column in this invention are connected with the other voting elements of the machine in such a way that the voter cannot surreptitiously manipulate the machine, that is, cannot vote for a candidate on the mechanical voting elements and also for another person in the paper column for the same office.

It is the object of this invention to provide a simple, efficient, durable, and certain paper column mechanism, which is operated by simple manipulation, and which cannot easily be gotten out of order. and which is also economical in point of construction; also to provide an individual ballot strip for each ofiice. so that the only paper used is that on which the voter has inscribed the name of the person for whom he votes; also to provide the special mechanism for operating such individual paper ballot as hereinafter set forth: also to provide the locking and interlocking elements, the universal releasing and restoring elements. and the features of construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification. and in the description of the drawings. I have shown my invention in its preferred form, and have shown what I deem to be the best mode of applying the principles thereof: but it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, I contemplate changes in form, proportions, and materials. the transposition of parts, and the substitution of equivalent members. without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view oi the. paper column made in accordance with the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view of that part of the voting machine containing the paper column, one of the shutters being shown in closed position, another in full open position, and another in half open position. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation about on a plane indicated by the line 3 in Fig. 1. Fig. l is a sectional elevation about on a plane indicated by the line 4 in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation showing certain parts on the plane indicated Fig. 6 is a sect1onal'65 by the line 5 in Fig. 1. elevation taken on the plane indicated by the line 6 in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an elevation of certain parts taken from the direction of the arrow 7 in Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is another ele- 'ation of the same parts taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 8 in Fig. 1. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section of certain parts as indicated by the line 9 in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the sev; eral views.

12 indicates the main supporting and in closing frame of the machine.

13 and 14 indicate two sheet metal partitions erected therein. and 15, 1:) indicate a series of horizontally disposed partitions separating the several voting rows from each other. it being understood that the particular arrangement of paper column shown in the drawings is especially adapted for use in voting machines wherein the voting elements are arranged in vertical party columns, the candidates for the same olricc being in the same row or rows, there being one paper ballot in each row, and the horizontal partitions being preferably spaced apart from each other corresponding with said rows. These horizontal partitions are held in place between the lugs 16. 1G punched out from the verticaL partitions, there being enough of these lugs both above and below each horizontal partition to hold it securely in place.

The machine frame is open in front at each paper ballot compartment, as indicated at- 17, and back of these openings is a plate. 18 which forms a backing for the paper ballots. as hereinafter explained.

1 1 are ways or guides on the upper and lower sides of each opening; and in these ways in each opening works a slide or sl-utter 20, a portion of the edges of yvhich are rolled over, as indicated at 21, to form slots in which to. insert a card 22 with the name of the ollice inscribed thereon.

, rod in each compartment. is a spring 29 arranged to bear against both reels or spools.

30 is still another similar rod so located as to guide the paper strip, as hereinafter explained.

31 is the paper strip which comprises the paper ballot proper, on which it is intended that the voter shall write the name of any person for whom he desires to vote. This strip is of a width corresponding with the spools. and is at the start reeled up on the spool 25. thence it passes under spring 29 against the spool 27, thence around rod 30. thence over the plate 18, and thence to spool 27 to which it is secured. Now, by turning the spool 27 the paper strip will be drawn from the spool 25 and over the plate 18, and the spring 29 tends to permit the paper to be moved only as the spool 27 is turned, as by mechanism which will now be explained. Each spool 27 is made with a number of notches 32 adapted to be engaged by the pawl 34 of the lever 33 which is pivoted on the rod 26*so as to turn concentrically with said spool. One end of a link lid is pivoted to this lever at 35, and the other end is pivoted to the lever 37 at 38 which is pivoted at 4-0 to a bracket 39 secured to the vertical standard 11. The extreme end of the lever engages in a hole or slot 42 in the offset end of the slide or shutter 2O.

an extension sprin'g whose function is to restore the lever 37 and connected parts to normal non-voting position.

44 a standard arranged alongside the lovers 37, being provided with a slot 45 for each lever. livoted to the standard, as at 46 is a locking pawl 47 provided with a lug orprojection 48 and having a long end 49 which engagt-zs in the slot 50 of the universal releasing bar 51, which is yertically movably secured to the standard by means of the pin 52 and slot 53, the slot having a large opening at its lower end, as shown at 54 which permits withdrawal over the head of the pin Each pawl 47 rests upon its respective lever 37, the slots 50 allowing free movement of the pawls. Each lever 37 is provided with a hook in such relation that if the lever is moved only part of its full travel, the lug 1 8 engaging against said hook will prevent the return of the lever to normal position. if the lever be moved its fulltravel, said lug 48 of the pawl 47 Will engage against the edge of the lever 37 opposite the hook 55 and hold said lever in position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 1 until said pawl raised by the universal lifting bar 51. The parts are so arranged that the full travel of the lever 37 will pull enough new paper across the plate 18 to cover said plate, or to correspond with the opening;'whieh may be done by placing the notches 32 at four equidistant points around the side of the take-up spool, and so gaging the levers and connecting link that the full travel of the lever 33 is slightly more than the quarter of the complete circle; so that by moving the lever 37 back and forth its full travel, the lever 33 will oscillate back and forth, progressing the spool a quarter turn with each complete oscillation, it being understood that the pawl 31 engages the notches 32 only in forward movement and not in backward movement, and that the spring 29 prevents the spools from turning other than when actuated by the mechanism described.

Normally the parts are in the positions shown in full outlines in Fig. 1, the opening in front of the paper being closed by the 'slide or shutter 20. Now, by pressing the shutter to the right and uncovering the paper, the shutter will operate the lever 37, which in turn operates the lever 33, which turns the take-up reel a quarter turn to bring the necessary amount of new paper on the plate 18 in the opening and whereon the voter may write any desired name, the parts being locked in this position by means of the pawl 47. New, by lifting the universal bar 51, the lug, {8 of the pawl 47 is disengaged from the lever 37 by reason of said universal bar lifting up the extended end 49 of said pawl, the lever 37 is released, and the spring t3 restores the lever and all other connected parts to their normal nonvoting positions, except that the paper strip is left'in its advanced position. It is to be understood that the universal bar lifts all the pawls thus releasing all elements which have been voted, but not affecting those which have not been voted.

In order to bring each individual paper ballot mechanism into proper relation with the strictly mechanical voting elements in the respective rows, I provide the folloW- ing mechanism: (30 is a button-rod provided with a button 61 and suitably mounted in the standards 62 and 63 so as to be movable inwardly and outwardly, and provided with a hook 64 which is adapted to engage in a hole 65 in the adjacent shutter '20 when the rod is in its normal outward position and to be disengaged therefrom when the rod is in pressed-in position, 66 is a notch in the rod adapted to be engaged by a pawl (7 pivoted to the standard (33 at 68; this notch and pawl being for the purpose of may be properly timed so as to be restored only after the restoration of the shutter in order that the hook 64 may properly engage in the hole 65. To lift the pawl, I provide a universal bar 69 provided with a pin 70 under each pawl; normally the pawl works free of the pins; but by lifting the bar, all pawls are lifted free from their respective rods, permitting the said rods which have been pressed in, to be restored to normal positions. 71 is a pin projecting from the side of the rod and adapted to engage and to be engaged by a locking dog 72 secured to the shaft 73 which extends through the machine; there being one such rod for each row, and each rod being properly equipped with looking and actuating means in each party column. This pin and this dog are so arranged that if the rod be pressed in, it will turn the rod, with the effect of locking all other voting elements in the same row, by means not necessary to be here illus trated; and if the rod be turned without pressing in the rod, the face of the locking dog will prevent the pressing in of that rod. It is to be understood, however, that this invention is not concerned with the mechanical voting elements, but rather to the paper column alone and to the means for bringing the individual paper ballot into proper interlocking relation with the mechanical voting elements.

It will now be understood that so far' asthe voting is concerned, each pa er ballot is operated independently of all t e others,

provision being made only for universal releasing or unlocking devices. If the 'lockin dog 72 in any particular office be turne the paper ballot is looked as to that oflice, which may occur when the voter shall have voted in the same row in one of the party columns. If the locking dog is not turned, then the voter may press in the key or button rod,- which is held in lpresseddn position by the pawl 67 he may t on push the shutter to the right, exposing the clean ballot,

and inscribe a name thereon. The parts are restored to normal positions by first lifting the universal bar 51 and then the universal bar 69, it being understood that elsewhere the machine may be provided with suitable mechanism for returning the rod 73 so as to restore the button rods to normal positions.

the reverse operation is followed inserting propelling lever .mg one-wa p said s utter. It is understood thatthe inclosing frame of the machine is locked against access to.

the spools to put the machine in readiness for voting.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a frame having a column of openings in its face, a shutter for each opening, a lever pivoted in the frame and connected with each shutter, a spring for operating said lever in one way, a latch for each lever for holding it against the tension of the spring, a universal lifting bar for releasing the levers from their respective latches, two series of spools mountedin the frame, oneof each series for each opening, one being a storage spool and the other a take-up spool, av backing plate at each opening, an individual paper strip for each opening wound upon the storage spool and secured to the take-up spool and passing over said plate, an oscillating lever having one-way engagement with the take-up spool, a link connecting the two levers, a spring bearing against the two spools and against the paper, a buttonrod having two positions, in one of which it locks the shutter in closed position and in the other of which the shutter is free from the rod, a latch capable of holding the rod in second-named position, a. universal lifting bar to release the latches, and a locking dog for the button rod interlocking with the mechanical elements of the voting machine and capable of locking the rod against motion to second-named posi tion and of restoring the rod to first-named position, and also ad'a ted to be actuated by the rod; substantial as set forth.

2. The combination 0 a frame having a column of openings in its face, a shutter for each 0 ening, a lever for each shutter, each lever ing connected with its shutter, a spring for operating the lever in one way, a latch for each lever for holding it against the tension of the spring, a universal bar storage spool and secured to t e take-up spool and passing over the backing plate, a

or each take-up spool havengagement therewith and connected wit the first-named. levers respectively, and a means associated with the re spective mechanical voting elements of a votin machine for locking and unlocking 3. The combination of a frame having a series of openings-in its face, a backing plate at each opening, a shutter for each opening, a lever connected with each shutter, a springfor operating the lever in one way, a latch for holding each lever against the tension of the spring, a universal bar for releasing said latches, a storage spool and a take-up spool for each opening, an

individual paper strip for each opening wound upon the storage spool, passing thence over the backing plate and being secured to the take-up spool, a propelling lever for each take-up spool having one-Way engagement therewith and being connected with the first-named lever, and a means for locking the shutter in closed position and for unlocking it.

4. The combination of a frame having a series of openings in its face, a backing plate at each opening, a shutter .for each opening, a storage spool and a take-up spool for each opening, an individual paper strip for each two spools wound upon the storage spool, passing over the backing plate and secured to the take-up spool, amechanism connecting the shutter with the take-up spool and having one-way engagement with the take-up spool for propelling the same, a spring for actuating said mechanism in one way, a latch for holding said mechanism and shutter against the tension of the springfiand a universal releasing device for said latches.

5. The combination of a frame having a series of openings in its face, a backing plate at each opening, a shutter for each opening, a storage spool and a take-up spool for each opening, an individual paper strip for each two spools wound upon the storage spool, passing over the backing plate behind the shutter and securedto the take-up spool, a mechanism connecting the shutter with and adapted in one Way to propel the take-up spool, a. spring for actuating said mechanism and shutter in one Way, a latch for holding each mechanism and shutter against the tension of the spring, and a universal releasing device for the latches.

6. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame, a backing plate, a storage spool and a take-up spool mounted therein, a continuous strip wound upon the storage spool passing over the backing plate and secured to the take-up spool, and a spring bearing against said spools.

7. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame, a slide of a paper column, which slide is provided with a hole, a longitudinally movable button rod provided with a hook to engage in said hole for locking the said slide.

8. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame, a paper column slide and a button rod movable in horizontal planes at right angles to each other, said slide being provided with a hole and said rod being provided with a hook engaging in said hole for locking the slide in normal position, said hook eing disengaged from said hole when the rod is in a secondary position.

9. The combination of a frame having a series of openings in its face, a backing plate at each opening, a shutter for each opening, a storage spool and a take-up spool for each opening, an individual paper strip for each two spools wound upon the stora e spool, passing over the backing plate be ind the shutter and secured to the take-up spool, a mechanism connecting theshutter with and adapted in one way to propel the take-up spool, automatic means for actuating said shutter and mechanism in one way, a latch for holding each mechanism and shutter against actuation by said automatic means, and a. universal releasing device for the latches.

10. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame, a backing plate, a storage spool and a take-up spool mounted in the frame on vertical axes, a continuous strip wound upon the storage spool, passing over the backing plate and secured to the take-up spool, and a spring bearing against the storcontrolled mechanism for actuating the take-up spool.

12. In a voting machine, the combination of a frame havin an opening, a shutter and a backing plate or said opening, a storage spool and a take-up spool mounted in the frame on horizontal axes, a continuous voting strip wound upon the storage spool, passing over the backing plate behind the shutter, and secured to the take-up spool, automatic mechanism for actuating the take-up spool, a latch for holding said automatic mechanism against take-up-spool actuating movement, and shutter-controlled devices for bringin said automatic mechanism to latched position.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES FREMONT CURREY. Witnesses:

C. J. ROSEN, J. M. STARK.

copies of this patent may be obtained tor five cent each, by addressing the Gommlnloner of Patent,

' Washington, D. 0." 

